Job Summary
In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. Reporting to the Professional Practice Leader, Occupational Therapy, and the Professional Practice Leader, Physiotherapy, and under the direction of the Therapists and in accordance with established policies, standards, and procedures, assists Therapists in the provision of patient care by setting up treatment equipment, preparing patients for treatment, assisting patients with assigned rehabilitative activities, adapting patient aides, and cleaning and maintaining equipment and supplies. Performs a variety of clerical duties such as typing, reception, and maintenance of charts and files utilizing computerized software programs.
Duties/Accountabilities
Duties
- Receives patients and escorts them to the appropriate treatment area, and assists Therapists in preparing patients for treatment by performing duties such as patient transfer, dressing, undressing.
- Assists patients with established rehabilitative activities such as mobility and strengthening exercises, respiratory care, gym program and walking programs. Sets up treatment equipment; and oversees patients in exercise programs. Demonstrates the use of prescribed treatment/adaptive devices such as braces, crutches, wheelchairs and walkers for patients. Communicates to Therapist following treatment regarding patient’s behaviour, progress, concerns and/or changes to condition.
- Assists Therapists by fabricating a supply of splints for use by the therapists/nurses for adaptation to the specific patient. Assists Therapists with positioning during fabrication of splints that are moulded directly on the patient. Fabricates splint, delivers it to patient and directs patient, family and/or nurse on instruction under direction of Therapist.
- Assists Therapists in providing care by performing duties such as taking measurements required for fabrication of adaptive devices such as standard Ilizarov post-op knee extension and foot drop splints and fabricating according to samples. Fabricates custom positioning devices such as the fabric Greenville Binder based on measurements provided by Therapist. Assesses post operative patient for clothing adaptations required for application of external fixators such as Ilizarov or Wagner frames.
- Assists Therapists with planning and organization of group activities for inpatient groups such as gym groups and cooking groups by performing duties such as ordering materials, escorting patients, setting up materials and assisting with treatment.
- Assists Therapists in the movement of patient care equipment. Porters patients to and from the ward and/or treatment area for assessment or treatment utilizing mechanical aids such as wheelchairs and stretchers. Retrieves wheelchair for inpatient use and instructs patient, family and/or nurse in basic operation and features. Assists Therapists with patient lifting and transfers.
- Stocks and maintains an inventory of supplies and price lists to prescribed levels by ordering from suppliers such as Purchasing, Pharmacy and Sterile Processing. Sets up required supplies and equipment for each work area.
- Assists Therapists in maintaining cleanliness of work areas such as treatment areas, splint room, storage areas and other non-patient areas by performing duties such as wiping, dusting and washing equipment and tables.
- Cleans and disinfects treatment areas such as the hydrotherapy tank, waiting rooms, refrigerator and toys (discarding hazardous ones). Also included is equipment such as hydrocolators, procedure trays, and suction equipment. Washes and sterilizes designated instruments using a washer-sterilizer according to prescribed procedures.
- Performs a variety of clerical duties such as assisting with patient documentation by performing duties such as obtaining, assembling and distributing charts for clinics, patient assessment and treatment; and delivery of discharged patient charts to Health Records. Assists Therapists following clinics by maintaining charts by completing specific sections, under the supervision of the Therapist.
- Maintains supply of clean linen and makes up clean plinths. Delivers and collects dirty equipment from Sterile Processing.
- Performs a variety of reception duties such as answering the telephone, taking messages, registering new patients, making appointments, typing routine correspondence and documentation, referring or redirecting calls, and receiving and directing patients and visitors to appropriate areas.
- Collects and delivers items, messages, printing requests, biomedical communication equipment and supplies.
- Provides routine maintenance such as replacement of batteries, containers and electrogel, and reports maintenance requirements. Prepares requisitions for signature and dispatches equipment for repair/service as directed. Maintains equipment such as the mechanical lifts for patient transfers by calling Maintenance and Biomedical Engineering for all repair of equipment.
- Maintains procedure and protocol manuals for department by performing duties such as typing, inserting and distributing updates, utilizing computerized equipment. Compiles and enters statistics into computer.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Qualifications
Education, Training and Experience
- Completion of a Rehabilitation Assistant Program plus one (1) year's recent related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Skills And Abilities
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to deal with others effectively.
- Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
- Ability to type at 50 w.p.m.
- Ability to organize work.
- Ability to operate related equipment.
